Proposal Outline

Defining your... purpose or mission is only the first step to knowing where you are going in the future. This journey is one of discovery. It cannot be deduced by looking at the external environment. You come to understand it only by looking inside. It has to be authentic. You cannot fake it. It is an exercise that enables you to create a clear picture of how you will advance into an uncertain future. By defining your purpose and then working to discover your values and vision, you become clear about how you will remain steadfast to your purpose and values.

Your proposal for your Individualized Major must be a minimum of 500 words. Most are about 2-3 pages in length, double-spaced. It should be a personal statement of your vision of your career plans and how your unique abilities equip you to pursue these plans.

The draft may be reviewed by either the Liberal Studies advisor or, for more specific feedback on your writing, by the University Writing Center. Once you have a finished draft of your proposal, email an electronic copy to Dr. Hale for preliminary approval and to schedule your admissions meeting.

Proposal for Individualized Major:

  1. Create a title for your program that unifies your concentrations ( e.g., Global Medicine, Arts Administration, Political Journalism).
  2. Provide a brief personal statement explaining your background, interests and influences. Define the general goals of your program: educational and/or professional. How does the Individualized Major (vs. a single discipline) better serve your intent?
  3. What academic departments and/or outside colleges will be used? How is each relevant to the goal? How are these concentrations interrelated? Use examples. Include any life experience. Specify how your chosen concentrations work together to support your goal.
  4. Are you preparing for graduate or professional school? A specific career field? What are your future goals? How are you uniquely qualified to pursue this field and to be successful within it?

The university encourages and supports research and internship opportunities. When you are writing your proposal, please include any research or internship opportunities you feel would enrich your undergraduate experience.

 

Individualized Major - Middle Grades Education Focus

If you are interested in preparing for the MAT in Middle Grades Education, please contact the program advisor (s.springer@louisville.edu) for more information.